Community

Learn together. Explore your passions. Develop lifelong relationships.

The Honors College is committed to providing a rich, shared community experience to all students, whether you plan to live on campus, nearby, or further afield. You will make friends who will stay with you through your time at Mason and long after. You will be mentored and supported by professors, advisors, and student leaders. You will join student organizations, meet people from around the world, and pursue opportunities that shape your future.


The Honors College Residential Learning Community Experience

Building a strong community is key to the Honors College experience. The Honors College helps you build a sense of community with other students, your faculty, and even alumni.

Incoming Honors College students living on campus are required to live in the First-Year Honors Residential Learning Community (RLC). You will automatically be assigned to the Honors RLC during the housing assignment process.

If you wish to live in another academic/interest RLC or in general student housing, email honors@gmu.edu for additional information.

Regardless of which Residential Learning Community you join, as a first year student, you will:
  • Get to know your Peer Mentors. They offer guidance to first-year students in their HNRS-110 class, facilitating research and making the transition to college smoother. They provide one-on-one, inquiry-based mentoring to help students explore various answers to their questions. Whether it's assistance with research projects or studying for finals, peer mentors are available to offer timely and practical advice.
  • Learn about opportunities through the HNRS 111 Colloquium. Through the Colloquium, you’ll learn about opportunities for undergraduate research, civic and community engagement, and professional development. You’ll interact with esteemed Mason faculty, student leaders, and members of the Northern Virginia business community — in small groups, designed for conversation.
  • Come together with your classmates in HNRS 110.  The core of the shared Honors College first-year experience is this course. You will work closely with an outstanding faculty member and 19 classmates to pursue questions that you develop. You’ll learn that research isn’t a solo activity; you’ll support and be supported by your peers throughout the semester in 110, and some of your closest relationships will be born here.
  • Make connections in the First Year Residential Learning Community. Students in the First Year Residential Learning Community benefit from social and academic enrichment activities designed to foster unity and enhance the collective experience of their initial college year.
Throughout your time in the Honors College, you will:
  • Connect through social and co-curricular programs. You will have opportunities to connect with faculty and fellow students through our robust programming, such as:

    • Honoring Our Community Fellowship. Paid fellowship program for Honors College students who seek to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) at Mason and in their broader communities.
    • Winter and Summer Exhibitions. We showcase student research at twice-annual Honors College research exhibitions and support additional exhibitions hosted by the Office for Student Scholarship and Creative Activities (OSCAR) and other colleges and schools. 
  • Hear from illustrious alumni. Several times a semester, we invite some of our illustrious alumni to network with with current students and share their experiences after graduation.
  • Immerse yourself in the Honors College by joining one of our student organizations. Mason has more than 400+ student organizations, many of which are comprised mostly or entirely of Honors College students. Learn more about some of these opportunities: